2. What is Fioricet?
• Fioricet contains a combination of acetaminophen, butalbital,
and caffeine Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever
reducer.
• Butalbital is in a group of drugs called barbiturates. It relaxes
muscle contractions involved in a tension headache.
• Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes
muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow.
3. • Fioricet is used to treat
tension headaches that
are caused by muscle
contractions.
4. Common Fioricet side effects may include:
• drowsiness, dizziness;
• feeling anxious or restless;
• drunk feeling; or
• sleep problems (insomnia).
5. Butalbital has generalized depressant effect
on central nervous system and, in very high
doses, has peripheral effects.
Acetaminophen
has analgesic and antipyretic effects
mediated by a metabolite which acts
at cannabinoid receptors, contrary to popular
belief it is not an antiinflammatory at safe
levels (it becomes toxic at doses above
1,000mg per dose and/or 3,000mg per day).
6. • Caffeine is thought to produce constriction
of cerebral blood vessels and serves to
counteract the sedative effect of butalbital.
Butalbital has a half-life of about 35 hours. Acetaminophen has a
half-life of about 1.25 to 3 hours, but may be increased by liver
damage and after an overdose. Caffeine has a half-life of about 5
to 7 hours.
7. cy medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction
to Fioricet: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your
face, lips, tongue, or throat.
In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe
skin reaction that can be fatal. This could occur even
if you have taken acetaminophen in the past and had
no reaction.
Stop taking this medicine if you have skin redness or a
rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. If
you have this type of reaction, you should never again
take any medicine that contains acetaminophen
8. What other drugs will affect Fioricet?
Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you
sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous
or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor before
taking Fioricet with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain
medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety,
depression, or seizures.
9. What happens if I overdose?
• The first signs of an acetaminophen overdose include
loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain,
sweating, and confusion or weakness. Later
symptoms may include pain in your upper stomach,
dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of
your eyes.
• Overdose symptoms may also include insomnia,
restlessness, tremor, diarrhea, increased shallow
breathing, uneven heartbeats, seizure (convulsions),
or fainting.
10. Usual Pediatric Dose of Fioricet for Headache:
12 years and older:
Acetaminophen 300 mg, butalbital 50 mg, and caffeine
40 mg:
1 or 2 capsule(s) orally every 4 hours as needed.
Maximum daily dose: 6 doses.
